The Princess And The Frog (out 21 June 10, Cert. U)

Anika Noni Rose, Terrence Howard, John Goodman, Keith David, Jim Cummings, Jenifer Lewis, Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Cody, directed by John Musker & Ron Clements, 2009, cert. U

Monkey Score: 96%

Tiana (Anika Noni Rose) works several jobs in the hope of one day being able to open her own restaurant in New Orleans. Her childhood friend Charlotte (Jennifer Cody) dreams of marrying a prince. When she hears Prince Naveen of Maldonia (Bruno Campos) is due in town for Mardi-Gras, Charlotte asks her Big Daddy (John Goodman) to throw a glamourous ball, and enlists Tiana as the caterer. Things don't quite go as planned, however. Prince Naveen is turned into a frog by voodoo shadow-man Dr Facillier (Keith David) before a kiss from Tiana sends them both into the depth of the Louisiana bayous for an adventure neither was counting on. In come Louis the trumpet-playing alligator and Ray the cajun firefly, to add to the joyous mayhem.

©Disney

The Princess And The Frog is quite possibly the best non-Pixar Disney release of the past 20 years. Produced in glorious 2-D hand-drawn animation, the film is both funny and magical, with an original take on the classic Frog Prince tale. The story moves at the swinging pace of a jazz big band, with a soundtrack guaranteed to get toes a-tapping by Oscar®-winning composer Randy Newman (“Monsters, Inc.,” “Toy Story”.) Indeed the songs "Almost There" and "Down In New Orleans" were both nominated for Best Song, and the film is unsurprisingly up for Best Animated Feature at the last Academy Awards. There's plenty of fun to be had for kids of all ages, from toddlers to grown-ups. It's sweet and enchanting, but never sickly so, with a few emotional moments to balance the laughs in pure Disney tradition. In development since 2006, The Princess and the Frog exudes classic Disney charm. Cynics may feel that Walt Disney Animation Studios are cashing in on the Obama effect with their first ever African-American Princess, but while this indeed lends a topical angle to the media across the pond it changes nothing: The Princess And The Frog is an absolute delight.

©Disney

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Micmacs (out 21 June 10, Cert. 12)

Dany Boon, Jean-Pierre Marielle, André Dussolier, Nicolas Marié, Yolande Moreau, directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, 2009, cert. 12

MonkeyScore: 85%

Arms dealers battle it out with one another in post-9/11 Europe, and all seem to indicate that mankind is headed for a violent and cataclysmic self-destruction. The unfortunate Bazil (Dany Boon), orphaned as a boy after the death of his father from a roadside bomb, is still trying to determine how he fits into the world when he gets hit by a stray bullet. Once out of hospital he is broke, unemployed and homeless, but finds hope in the form of Placard - Slammer (Jean-Pierre Marielle), an ex-con living in a scrap dump with a bunch of social misfits and who make Bazil feel right at home for the first time. As they turn the dump into a lovely underground home, the possibility of revenge against the munitions manufacturers responsible for Bazil's dad's death and the bullet in his head presents itself.

Jeunet is one of those rare directors that have managed to carve a very successful niche for themselves, creating films that do well at the box office without bending down to blockbuster clichés. Micmacs follows the multi-Oscar and BAFTA nominated Amélie with the same eccentric charm and original story-telling. The stylised vignettes blend effortlessly to create one of the most beautiful films we've seen this year. There is a lot to take on visually: while Micmacs was stunning on the big screen, DVD and Blu-Ray give you the time to appreciate what went into it more fully. Art direction, however, is not what makes Micmacs stand out: the film is a subtle mix of clever story-telling, humour and fantastic performances from some of France's best-loved and most gifted actors. Veteran Marielle and Dussolier are superb, as is Dominique Pinon - who has starred in all of Jeunet's features since the 1991's surrealist comedy Delicatessen. The main revelation, however, comes from Dany Boon as the unfortunate Bazil, delivering a performance that ought to put him on international radars.
The Micmacs is a stylish treat, quirky and sweet and supremely satisfying.

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The Last Station (out 21 June 10, Cert. 15)

Paul Giamatti, Christopher Plummer, Helen Mirren, James McAvoy, Anne-Marie Duff, Kerry Condon, directed by Michael Hoffman, 2009 , cert. 15

MonkeyScore: 77%

The final year of Russian socialist writer Leo Tolstoy's life comes to the screen with Christopher Plummer in the lead role and Helen Mirren portraying his wife, Sofya.

The Last Station, marketed as an 'intelligent drama', has predictably scared off cinema audiences when released on the big screen earlier this year. Indeed there seems to be a direct correlation between the lack of superhero in the film and the number of of cinemas willing to take a punt. Once more pandering to the lowest common denominator results in a great film missing out on decent distribution. With The Last Station, One Fine Day's director Michael Hoffman manages to take on a subject neither obvious nor easy and turn it into a something well worth watching. The stellar ensemble cast carries the script throughout with the perfect pitch, and if one must pick a gripe it would be with the casting of James McAvoy as Tolstoy personal secretary. While he acquits himself of the task perfectly adequately, it feels like déja vu and reminds of his character in The Last King Of Scotland, which seems a waste of obvious talent. At times funny and sexy, The Last Station is an engaging slice of cinema. A very satisfying film that will reward daring audiences.

We've a very generous 5 copies of The Last Station DVD for you to win in our competition this week, courtesy of Optimum Releasing - just follow the link!